Towards an Alternative Tourism Partners Albania have continued the work for the development of alternative tourism in the region of Korca. During this period Partners Albania staff in collaboration with local partners have conducted visits to businesses, to prepare promotional information and presentation of characteristic local products they offer, in order to further promote the businesses of these areas in the country, in the region and beyond.
During the culinary course conducted from professional chefs and lectors from Marketing-Tourism Department in “Fan S. Noli” University of Korca, participants were introduced to a series of traditional recipes, as well as main elements of serving, preparing the table, placing the service facilities, etc. The participants evaluated the knowledge and skills gained as very necessary and practical. They showed a high level of interest during the trainings as well as a high motivation for concretely implementing in their businesses the knowledge gained in the training. On the upcoming period, PA in collaboration with local institutions and partners will organize a series of visits in Macedonia and Albania, aiming the exchange of experience, creation of connections among businesses in both countries as well as promoting tourist attractions and products of Albania and Macedonia, in order to develop tourism and economy in the cross-border area. The project “Towards an Alternative Tourism“ is implemented by Partners Albania and MEDF foundation in Macedonia, in framework of the European Union IPA CBC Programme Albania - Macedonia, 2007-2013. It focuses the district of Korca in Albania and the region of Struga, Ohrid, Debarca and Vecani in Macedonia. .
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TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY
PA has also continued the work on further local capacity building through training and assistance programs. During April 2014 were held in Korca two training programs, one on effective management and business plan drafting, and another two days training about culinary and qualitative service in restaurant. About 34 representatives of local businesses from Korca, Pogradec, Boboshtica, Erseka, Voskopoja, Liqenas and Buçimas, including managers, administrators and chefs, participated in these activities. During the training on effective business management, they were introduced to some of the main management principals, the main characteristics of a strong managing group, the importance of preparation, qualitative service and products/services marketing and promotion, the main elements of a business plan etc. During the training they also practiced the drafting of concrete business plans and identified the basic challenges faced while managing their businesses. The training was conducted by experts of Regional Development Agency in Korca.